A Forum for Orthodox Jewish thought on Halacha, Hashkafa, and the social issues of our time.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

The Winds of Mysticism

As I was browsing through some of the news media, blogs, and
other social network media that I frequent
(as source material from my blog), I came across a number of articles
that seemed to have a common theme. There seems to be an increase in the number
of ads for mysterious Segulos as well as announcements about getting Brachos from rabbis. So too are there all kinds
of spiritual messages being ‘seen’ in various events of the day – like blaming
a tragedy on a defect in Klal Yisroel that needs to be ‘repaired.’

While there may be sources for all of these things, it seems
like there is much greater focus on them than ever. The message is that no
matter how much we try and fulfill the word of God, it isn’t enough. That we
must seek some sort of ‘magic’ bullet to grant our heavenly requests, whether
for Parnassa or the health of a loved one who has fallen ill, or praying for fertility…
what have you.There is an increasing number of cryptic avenues of this type
being touted for successful resolution of one’s needs.

This used to be more the province of Sephardim and Chasidim.
But lately it has affected the non Chasidic Ashkenazic Yeshiva world as well.

One e-mail I received contained a picture of a poster hung
in a Shul with the announcement that Rav Shach’s grandson, R’ Yissochar
Bergman, is collecting “Kvitlech”(written
prayer requests – usually accompanied by
a donation) for Rav Chaim Kanievsky. This used to be only a Chasidic custom.
But now it is ‘catching on’ in the Yeshiva world. You can’t get more
Yeshivish than Rav Shach.

There is also the custom of going to Uman on Rosh HaShana.
This used to be reserved for Breslover Chasdidm since their Rebbe is buried
there. Now there are hundreds of non Chasidim going there too. That has in fact
been sharply criticized in the past. It is one thing for a Breslover Chasid to
do that - although I question even that. It is another thing for others to do it. The
idea of leaving your family behind and going to Uman for Rosh HaShana is
perverse to my way of thinking. But now a venerated sage, R’ Aharon Leib
Steinman seems to be giving his blessing to it. As pointed out in a post on Rafi’s blog:

This year Rav Shteinman was asked his opinion on the matter.
His answer was, reportedly,
along with a backhanded compliment, "What's so bad about them going to
Uman? It wont do any harm. Just the opposite - with such a large crowd, there
will definitely be a minyan of people davening properly..."

According to Bechadrei, Rav
Birnzweig, a rav in the Mirrer Yeshiva, claimed during his mussar shiur, that
Rav Elyashiv was murdered. He said:

Recently we have heard of gedolei yisroel who have
passed from this world, everybody must arouse themselves [to teshuva].
Rav Elyashiv and the Admor of Shomrei Emunim were murdered due to the yeshiva
bochurim and kollel avreichim who use smartphones.

Right! Rav Eyashiv’s “untimlely” death at age 102 was actually
murder due to smartphone use. And who is making this wild speculation? A Rosh Yeshiva in the
Mir!

These people are not fringe people. These are respected, serious,
mainstream Yeshiva world people. And they are beginning to sound like charlatans
and snake oil salesman!

Is this the direction the Charedi world is going in? Is this
the unity we should be looking for? A melding of the Chasidic and Yeshiva world
that encompasses the entirety of all Asheknaz Charedim? Is the focus becoming
mysticsm over rationalism? I know that there is more of a focus on mysticism
among Sephardim. But Ashekanzim in the Yeshiva world have never focused on that. Until now.

I realize that not all Charedim buy in to this stuff. Most
moderate Charedim do not. But there are so many indicators of this kind of
thinking permeating the Charedi world it that I am beginning to wonder if it is
the wave of the future? Will it become more mainstream? Is Judaism becoming a
religion of mystical Segulos, and Rebbeshe Brachos, blaming every tragedy on
the perceived communal ill of the day? Or will we instead be of a religion of merit
based on rationality, personal behavior, adherence to Halacha, and direct
prayer to God? It would seem that the former is becoming more of a possibility
based on these reports.

I guess that is one of the differences between Modern Orthodoxy
and the Charedi world. Modern Orthodox Jews tend to shy away from these kinds
of things – if not outright reject them. This not to say that Modern Orthodox Jews are
perfect. Far from it. But in this one area at least, I think they are on a better
track than Charedim.

I have been saying for some time now that the majority of Orthodox
Jewry in the future will consist of the “New Centrists” - a melding of Moderate
Charedim with right wing Modern Orthodox Jews. I still believe that. But the mysticism of Sephardim and Chasidus seems to be making in-roads. Especially with mainstream rabbinic figures
supporting it. I sure hope this is only a passing fad.

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About Me

My outlook on Judaism is based mostly on the teachings of my primary Rebbe, Rabbi Aaron Soloveichik from whom I received my rabbinic ordination. It is also based on a search for spiritual truth. Among the various sources that put me on the right path, two great philosophic works stand out: “Halakhic Man” and “Lonely Man of Faith” authored by the pre-eminent Jewish philosopher and theologian, Rabbi, Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Of great significance is Rabbi, Dr. Norman Lamm's conceptualization and models of Torah U’Mada and Dr. Eliezer Berkovits who introduced me to the world of philosophic thought. Among my early influences were two pioneers of American Elementary Torah Chinuch, Rabbis Shmuel Kaufman and Yaakov Levi. The Yeshivos I attended were Yeshivas Telshe for early high school and more significantly, the Hebrew Theological College where for a period of ten years, my Rebbeim included such great Rabbinic figures as Rabbis Mordechai Rogov, Shmaryahu Meltzer, Yaakov Perlow, Herzl Kaplan, and Selig Starr. I also attended Roosevelt University where I received my Bachelor's Degree - majoring in Psychology.